That’s a solid checklist—especially the water meter trick. I’ve seen folks miss slow leaks for years because they only checked visible pipes. Curious if anyone’s tried using those moisture meters or thermal cameras for hidden leaks? I’ve had mixed results, but sometimes they catch what eyes can’t.
Tried both the moisture meter and a cheapo thermal camera attachment for my phone. Here’s my two cents, for what it’s worth:
- Moisture meters: Not bad for drywall or wood, but I once got a “high moisture” reading on a spot that turned out to be where my kid spilled juice. So, not exactly CSI-level accuracy.
- Thermal cameras: Fun gadget, but unless you’re dealing with a major leak or a hot water line, it’s like playing Where’s Waldo. I did catch a leaky radiator pipe once, but mostly I just found out how drafty my windows are.
Honestly, I’ve had better luck with the water meter trick and just crawling around with a flashlight. My wallet prefers it too. Those gadgets are cool, but unless you’re living in a mansion or have pipes running through every wall, they might be overkill.
One thing I do swear by: check under sinks and behind toilets for any weird smells or soft spots. If it smells like a wet dog and you don’t own one, that’s usually a sign.
If you’re on a budget (like me), stick to the basics:
- Watch your water bill for spikes.
- Listen for random hissing or dripping.
- Trust your nose—seriously, it’s underrated.
Gadgets are fun, but sometimes old-school detective work wins out. Unless you just want an excuse to buy new toys... which, hey, no judgment.
I’ve had similar experiences with those gadgets—fun to play with, but not always practical. I once borrowed a friend’s fancy thermal camera and ended up mostly mapping out cold spots around my doors, not leaks. The water meter trick is underrated, honestly. I caught a slow leak in my basement bathroom just by noticing the meter was spinning when everything was “off.” I do think poking around under sinks and feeling for dampness or soft spots is still the best move for most folks. Sometimes your nose and a good flashlight beat all the tech.
I hear you on the gadgets—my old house seems to laugh at anything high-tech. I once tried one of those moisture meters and it just beeped everywhere (lathe and plaster walls, go figure). I’ve found a musty smell under the stairs was the only clue to a leaking pipe tucked behind the wall. Sometimes I think these old places just want you to use your senses and a bit of patience. That water meter trick is gold, though.
Lathe and plaster really does mess with all the fancy tools, doesn’t it? I’ve had similar luck—tried a thermal camera once and just got a bunch of weird heat signatures from old wiring and who knows what else in the walls. Honestly, I trust my nose and eyes more than any gadget in these older places. That said, I do like the water meter trick for catching sneaky leaks.
Curious—do you ever open up walls to check for hidden issues, or do you just wait until there’s a real sign of trouble? I always debate whether it’s worth being proactive or if that just leads to more headaches (and dust) than it solves.
